Core Curriculum

The University System of Georgia Common Core is designed to make transfer from one system institution to another as smooth as possible with a minimum of credit loss.

Principles Across the Core that are Common to All Institutions

Each Institution's core curriculum will:

Encourage the development of written and oral communication skills and critical thinking within the broader academic context.

Permit opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.

Include offerings that reflect the special characteristics of the institution.

Feature international components that increase global awareness and introduce the student to different cultural perspectives.

Include an informed use of information technology.

Employ pedagogy designed to increase intellectual curiosity and to initiate a continuing interest in the subject matter.

Feature courses that are challenging and rigorous and provide learning experiences that distinguish a field.

Introduce the methods used by technical and scientific professionals such as the evaluation of empirical data, problem recognition, problem definition, the application of scientific principles, and logical problem solving.

Be cohesive and provide entry to both specialized studies in the student's chosen field and remaining courses (whether upper or lower division) in the institution's general education curriculum.

Be designed with the assumption that students have met all admissions standards to the institution (with appropriate academic support provided for those who have not).

Curriculum Framework for the Common Core

A. Essential Skills (9-10 hours)

English Composition I

English Composition II

College Algebra, Pre-Calculus or Calculus I, depending on major

Transfer Students: Transfer evaluation of courses in Area A is determined on a course-by-course basis.

Transfer Students: If you have completed Area B at your original institution, Southern Polytechnic State University will accept this area in its entirety. If you did not complete this area at your original institution, you will be required to take the courses above to complete the necessary hours. We will accept courses in this area whether or not we offer the course at SPSU.

C. Humanities/Fine Arts (6 hours)

These are courses that address humanities/fine arts learning outcomes and which the undergraduate curriculum committee has approved. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.

Transfer Students: If you have completed Area C at your original institution, Southern Polytechnic State University will accept this area in its entirety. If the area has not been completed, you will be required to take additional course work to complete the necessary hours. We will accept courses in this area whether or not we offer the course at SPSU.

D.Science, Mathematics, and Technology (10-11 hours)

These are courses approved by the undergraduate curriculum committee that address learning outcomes in the sciences, mathematics, and technology. These need not be sequential courses. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable. Required are:

Two four-hour laboratory science courses

Three additional credit hours in mathematics, science, or technology

Transfer Students: Transfer evaluation of courses in Area D is on a course-by-course basis. SPSU will accept any approved course in this area. If you have completed Area D at your original institution, Southern Polytechnic State University will accept this area in its entirety. If the area has not been completed, you will be required to take additional course work to complete the necessary hours.

E. Social Sciences (12 hours)

These are courses approved by the undergraduate curriculum committee that address learning outcomes in the social sciences, including, but not limited to, history and American government. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable. If credit course work is used to satisfy the U.S./Georgia history and constitution requirement, course(s) shall be part of this area.

Transfer Students: If you have completed Area E at your original institution, Southern Polytechnic State University will accept this area in its entirety. If the area has not been completed, you will be required to take additional course work to complete the necessary hours, but never exceeding a total of fourteen semester hours between you former institution and SPSU. We will accept courses in this area whether or not we offer the course at SPSU.

F. Courses Related to the Program of Study (18 hours)

These are courses numbered below 3000 that are related to your program of study, and courses which are prerequisites to major courses at higher levels.

Transfer Students: Transfer evaluation of courses in Area D is on a course-by-course basis. If you have completed Area F at your original institution, Southern Polytechnic State University will accept this area in its entirety, provided your major does not change. If the area has not been completed, you will be required to take additional course work to complete the necessary hours.

Core Courses

Listed below are Southern Polytechnic State University core-curriculum courses and the credit hours for those courses.

Area A

Essential Skills

Three Courses are Required

All students must complete Composition I and II and either Math 1111 or Math 1113 depending on their major.

Take both English classes and one mathematics class, depending on your major.